A GREAT GROUP OF LINE DANCERS, TOO

Jan 13 – This morning we had nine line dancers at TT Wilderness Lakes. In fact, we had three teachers today – that’s unusual. Sue(right front0 started out teaching a couple of dances. Then Dottie and I (two ladies in second row)I taught a more dances. With three teachers, there was no time to rest!!! We had a great time!! It was hard to stop dancing!!

GOOG-411 IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON THE CELL PHONE

Google has discontinued its FREE Directory Assistance Goog-411. I understand it is still available by using the Web Browser or Text Messaging, but I choose not to use either.

I have searched for another FREE Directory Assistance number to use that is not preceded with advertising, covers the entire US, provides location of the business, and does not use Text Message.

This numbers seems to work for me: 800-555-8355

Another number is: 800-383-3411

If anyone had a better solution, please let me know.

SUNDAY POLO MATCH AT THE EMPIRE POLO CLUB, INDIO, CA

Jan 09 – We had a wonderful time today when we went to the Polo Match with Myrtice and Chuck!! It was Opening Day at the Empire Polo Club. It was open to the public and general admission was Free!! None of us had ever been before and we had no idea what to expect. As it turned out, everything was perfect!!

First, we met Myrtice and Chuck at the Tavern Tack Room where we had a wonderful lunch in a delightful setting.

We decided to eat on the Patio it was such a beautiful day.

Fountain on the patio.

Inside the Tack Room.

After lunch we drove the short distance over to the Empire Polo Club. As we approached a large lady was leading a horse across our road. We stopped for her, teased her about hitting her, and she laughed and gave us a big bow. When we left her we saw a sign that said Tailgate Parking right next to the field. That was the perfect place to park and set up our chairs to view the match. We arrived in time to see the last part of the 12 o’clock match.

Our match did not start until 2 o’clock so we had a little time to walk across the field and check out the sights. Crossing the field, Myrtice and Chuck “stumbled” across a thrown horse shoe – a real Prize!!

Here we are enjoying ourselves at the matches!!

It was not only Opening Day, it was Hat Day at the Polo match. I captured this scene honoring the occasion!

We walked over to see the horses up close and personal. Here is the lady we almost hit on the road. She was very friendly and took time to talk with us. She was working for the “Shanghai” team from Los Angeles that was racing next, in our race. She said only Thoroughbred horses are used in Polo. There are four members on each team and two referees on the field at one time. Sixty horses are used for each match. Each team member uses seven different horses, changing horses at the end of each playing period called a “Chukker” (8 minute period) plus a spare horse.

We also met one of the players on the Shanghai team – Abby Riggs. This is a terrible picture because she was a really cute, petite girl.

The Horse Whispers!

The Horse Expert!!

While we were talking and taking pictures, Mrytice was talking with the Manager of the Shanghai team, Steve Armour. Turns out he used his grandfather’s money to buy enough Thoroughbred horses to make up a Polo team. He named it "Shanghai"!! They travel all over the world to play. Unfortunately, I did not get his picture.

We, of course, decided to cheer for the Shanghai team!! Here is some of the action on the field.

This is Abby (1) Notice she is on a white horse.

This is Steve Armour (2), Manager of Shanghai with whom Mrytice was talking. He's on a white horse for this Chukker.

A member of the opposing team (Gypsy Stormcat) and our guy, Joe Henderson (4).

Cody Woodfin of Shanghai (3)

Abby again mixing it up with the Stormcat guys!

More action. This time it’s Cody and a Stormcat.

Abby again, notice she is riding a brown horse during this Chukker.

Steve working his horse. Notice he’s on a brown horse for this Chukker.

During half time I walked across the field to let the announcer know that the speakers to our side of the field were not working. While I was there, they announced complementary champaign to spectators who participated in the traditional divot stomp out on the field.

I of course participated in that event!!

Walking back across the field, this really, really HOT referee crossed in my path!!

I happened to capture the teams lined up on our side of the field. Notice four players for each team (Abby must be the one who is blocked by a member of Stormcat. Who is missing from the picture?? The Hot referee!!

Shanghai won the match, 9 or 10 to 7 I think!! Abby turned out to be the high scorer of the day!! I can’t believe we actually met the star player!! Congratulations, Abby!!

After the match, we stopped by Mrytice and Chuck’s for a glass of wine. They have a really nice place in Mountain Aire. We particularly liked this outdoor firepit!! Thanks guys for scoping this out for us!! It was a most enjoyable day!!!

For anyone interested in a nice afternoon at the Polo Club, Polo matches with professional players from around the world are scheduled every Sunday through March 27.

By way of this Blog, I am sending a personal invitation to Prince William to come to the Empire Polo Club to play Polo!!

RENATE FINALLY DOES THE LAUNDRY FOR HEINZ!!

Jan 09 – Renate is a great Pickleball player and she is a pretty serious lady. Heinz is a “Hoot”. On the day they had the “Hail and Farewell” for Prim and Don (See Jan. 04), Heinz had spoken to me at the laundry. He told me how much he admired me because I had done the laundry two times since we have been here at TT Palm Springs. He explained that his wonderful wife, Renate, never did the laundry!! Would I please find a moment to speak to her about it. It is wearing his underwear and socks turned wrong side out!!

At the party I did point out to Renate that Heinz would like for her to do the laundry!! HA HA She did not enjoy the joke!!

But, apparently it worked. I caught the two of them in the Laundry today!! I thought this was funny!! Heinz thanks me. He now has clean clothes!! HA HA


(Sorry Renate!!)

GERMAN DINNER WITH CHRIS AND MARK

Jan 08 – Chris and Mark are parked in the site next to us at TT Palm Springs. They invited us to join them for a German dinner on Saturday. They had other friends over also.

Here are the Guys! Ken, Bob, Mark, Brian, Olan and Dennis!!


And here are the gals!! Merrallee, Chris, Judy, Faye and Barb!!

Dinner was DeLicious. Chris made wonderful Schnitzel and Spaetzle and cucumber salad. Merrallee made Slaw.

I brought Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage. For dessert we had Key Lime Pie by Judy and German Chocolate Cake by Barb!!

Everything was Delicious!! Thanks so much Chris and Mark. It was Wunderbar!!!

A VERY BUSY TIME AT TT PALM SPRINGS!!

Jan 03 – 08 – We had a delightfully busy week here at TT Palm Springs. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! The next few articles cover some of the events.


OF COURSE THERE WAS PICKLEBALL!

We played round robin Pickleball every morning. Here is some of the action!


Ken shows his form!





Carol and Renate. Renate shows a new stroke!


Phil and Larry M.

Martin and Annie.

Linda and Larry P.

Roy and Larry M.

Dick and Rick.
Larry M. and Richard. Looks like everybody wanted to play with Larry!

Faye shows her bad form!! But it's fun!!

HAIL AND FAREWELL TO PRIM AND DON

Jan 04 – Long time acquaintances Prim and Don came to TT Palm Springs to visit mutual friends Renate and Heinz for a couple of days. Renate invited Carol and Bob and Ken and me to their place to welcome them.

Renate and Heinz join us in toasting Prim and Don with Champaign!

Carol and Bob.

Ken and Faye.

Ken and Bob enjoy Heinz's special Brandy!

The next day, Renate and Don played an exciting Pickleball Match before Prim and Don had to leave.

It was good to see them again even though it was a brief visit.

FRIENDS WAYNE AND NANCY VISIT US AT TT PALM SPRINGS

Jan 03 – 06 – We received an E-Mail on Sunday evening from our long-time friends Wayne and Nancy, letting us know they were stopping by TT Palm Springs for a few days to see us!!! What A Surprise!! Wayne and Nancy have a place in Happy Trails in Arizona so we never expected to see them here!!

Wayne and Nancy were among the first people we ever played Pickleball with. When we met them in TT Rancho Oso in April 2002 we had just learned about this great game. We heard the sound of Pickleball being played down on the courts and went down and introduced ourselves. Little did we know we had just met a couple of real Pickleball enthusiasts who just took us under their wing and became friends for life. Thank you so much Wayne and Nancy!! We consider that a very lucky day when we met you!!

This time, when we got together with them, there was some reminiscing and Pickleball of course!

Later in the week we went to the Cinemark Dollar Movie (turned out to be $2 except on Monday and Tuesday) to see Unstoppable. What a riveting movie!! We were all exhausted when it ended and felt like we ourselves had stopped the train!!

Then we took them to one of our favorite places to eat – Mariscos Mr. Cora’s Mexican Seafood House in Cathedral City. Everything is Mexican – everything is seafood. We had their lunch special of three fish/shrimp tacos and beverage for only $5.99. It was so good!!

On the drive home we passed the Elephant Bar and decided to go there for Happy Hour on Thursday night before they left early Friday morning.

It this a good Omen?? We followed this hot air balloon as it lifted off from behind these buildings.

At the Elephant Bar.

On the way, Nancy mentioned that Barb had told her to be sure to get the Senior Card – 20% off!! Here Nancy and I show off our Senior Cards. Problem: they don’t apply to Happy Hour!!

We all ordered something different from the Happy Hour menu and shared our selection. Everything was fabulous!!

Nachos. Not on the menu but available on request.

Fried Calamari.

The highlight of the evening - Quick Seared Tuna with Soy and Wasabi.

Here we are having a farewell drink with Wayne and Nancy!

Thank you so much Wayne and Nancy for stopping. It was so much fun being with you again!!